IPL 2018: Aakash Chopra Picks his Playing XI for Chennai Super Kings

With the Indian Premier League just a few months away, the respective franchises will look to do away with their permutations and combinations.

It is never an easy task to furnish the squad for the match day and therefore former Indian Test cricketer, Aakash Chopra has tried to make things a tad easy for the teams.

Chopra, who is well-known for his in-depth analysis, shared his playing XI for the Chennai-based team in the upcoming edition of the IPL.

The cricket expert didn’t pick Murali Vijay for the opening slot and instead went with England’s dashing batsman Sam Billings. He has also kept the door open for Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis and expects either of them to partner Billings at the top.

Chopra opts for two spinners

He has placed the bet on Suresh Raina to come good at the no.3 slot. Raina has been in good form, and the fans would surely expect him to fire through all cylinders.

According to Chopra, Ambati Rayudu should come in next, followed by the skipper MS Dhoni. He wants to see Kedar Jadhav, Dwayne Bravo and Ravindra Jadeja next in line.

And he has picked Harbhajan Singh along with Mark Wood and Shardul Thakur to complete his XI. The Chennai squad boasts many familiar faces.

While they failed to get back ace spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, the think tank did well to retain the likes of Bravo, Raina, Jadeja and not to mention Dhoni. The men in yellow will look to keep their record intact of making it to the playoffs in each of the editions of the IPL.

Akash Chopra’s playing XI for Chennai Super Kings:

Sam Billings, Shane Watson/ Faf Du Plessis, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (C & wk), Kedar Jadhav, Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Mark Wood, Shardul Thakur.

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